The Jackson-Madison County Scholarship Foundation seeks to assist selected Madison County seniors with college expenses. The purpose of the scholarships is to recognize athletes for their academic achievements, community service, and leadership abilities. Special consideration is given to students not receiving other forms of financial aid. Since 2005, the foundation and its partners have awarded over $110,000 in scholarships. For more information, or to fund a scholarship in someone’s name, email us.
Eligible student athletes may apply for a scholarship by filling out the online form or downloading the student application.
The Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame criteria for the scholarship recipients:
The Jackson Madison County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors sponsors the Billy and Margie Schrivner Scholarship in honor of the couple’s dedication to the organization. Billy was a Hall of Fame inductee and former president and board member. After retiring from the board, Billy served as a valued advisor and mentor until his passing in March 2014. Billy and Margie demonstrated a passion for the Hall of Fame’s mission over the years and dedicated countless hours of their time to promote the recognition of sports excellence in Jackson-Madison County.
Zachary Simpson of Jackson Christian School is the recipient of the Billy and Margie Schrivner Scholarship. Simpson played football, basketball, and soccer for the Eagles. For his accomplishments on the football field, Simpson was selected as All-State (2017, 2018), All-Region first team (2017, 2018), Team MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year. He was honored to play in the West TN All-Star game. In basketball, Simpson was awarded All-Region Honorable Mention. Simpson plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin in the fall.
The Ed "Too Tall" Jones Scholarship is sponsored by the legendary Edward Lee "Too Tall" Jones, a Jackson native and Hall of Fame inductee. Jones was one of the most dominant defensive NFL players of his era, playing in 16 playoff games and three Super Bowls. He was part of three NFC championship teams and the Super Bowl XII championship team. Jones is passionate about supporting local student athletes as they pursue their dreams.
MaKayla Transou of South Side High School is the recipient of the Ed “Too Tall” Jones Scholarship. Transou played basketball and volleyball and ran track for the Hawks. As a long jumper for the track and field team, Transou placed three times at the state tournament – seventh, fourth, and third. In basketball, Transou joined the impressive 1,000 point club and had the most rebounds over the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. She was recognized as Most Valuable Player (2017) and Defensive Player of the Year (2016-17, 2017-18). Transou was named to the All-District team (2013-14, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19), All-District Tournament team (2016-17, 2018-19), All-Academic team (2019), and Region 7AA All-Tournament team (2018-19). Transou plans to attend either Tennessee State University or the University of Louisiana Monroe in the fall.
The Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization funding college scholarships to local student athletes. The foundation was established in September 2006 in loving memory of Morgan Leah McCarty. Morgan was a junior at the University of Tennessee when she was hit and fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver. Morgan’s legacy will be to help students complete their college education.
Ellie Harrell of Madison Academic is the recipient of the Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Scholarship. Harrell played soccer for the Lady Mustangs. Over her career, Harrell scored 16 goals and received District All-Tournament honors. She helped lead the Mustangs to the state tournament three seasons (2016, 2017, 2018). Harrell was recognized as a Wendy’s Heisman for High School Students finalist. For her accomplishments off the field, Harrell received the Governor’s Volunteer Star Award and honored as Exchange Club Student of the Month and a P.E.O. Star Scholarship finalist. With a 4.0 GPA, Harrell ranks top 10 in her senior class and plans to attend the University of Tennessee. /p>
The R. Bradley Hancock Award is given by the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame annually as a memorial to former board member Brad Hancock. Brad’s legacy is a testament to his life and the good works he did. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship foundation, so it is only fitting that an award bears his name.
Josie Willingham of South Side High School is the recipient of the R. Bradley Hancock Award. Willingham played volleyball and softball for the Lady Hawks. As catcher and shortstop for the softball team, Willingham was honored as an All-District selection three times (2016, 2017, 2018) and All-State selection twice (2017, 2018). Over her career, Willingham scored 103 runs and had 63 stolen bases, a .463 batting average, and .795 slugging percentage. A three-year starting setter for the volleyball team, Willingham averaged 19 assists per match, 2 aces per game, and 3 kills per match. She was named to the All-District and All-Region teams. With a 4.0 GPA, Willingham was a member of Beta Club, Junior Rotarian, and the Yearbook Staff. Willingham plans to continue her softball career at the University of Tennessee on an athletic scholarship.
The Richard Ross Scholarship honors the memory of the late Richard Ross, who was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1993. He was the head football coach at Jackson High School and Jackson Central-Merry High School from 1966 to 1985. He passed away in 1993 after a long battle with cancer. The scholarship was established shortly after to help athletes with their college costs.
Preston Howard of Liberty Technology High School is the recipient of the Richard Ross Scholarship. Howard played offensive tackle for the Crusaders football team. He was voted most Coachable in 2017 and Lineman of the Year in 2018. With a 3.3 GPA, Howard ranks 36th in his class of 266, and he plans to attend McPherson College in Kansas on a football scholarship.
The Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Scholar Athlete Award honors an athlete who has excelled in their athletic endeavors, as well as scholastic achievements, while a Jackson-Madison County student. This athlete is recommended by guidance counselors and coaches. Funding is possible due to a grant provided by Dr. Keith Nord and the staff from the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Clinic.
Carson Nicola of University School of Jackson is the recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Scholar Athlete Award. A five-year member of the USJ baseball team, Nicola led his team to a runner-up finish in 2017 and third-place finish in 2018 at the TSSAA state tournament. He pitched in the 2017 Division II-A West Region Championship. In cross country, Nicola medaled in every regular season race in 2017. In 2016, his team placed sixth at the TSSAA State Championship meet. Nicola’s team and individual highlights include: USJ Invitational finished third (2016) and second (2018); West TN Fall Classic finished 13th, team finished second (2017); TCA Invitational finished 12th, team finished first (2018); West TN Jamboree finished 21st of 180 (2018). Off the field, Nicola achieved many academic accomplishments, including being accepted to the TN Governor’s School for the Humanities and TN Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering. Nicola qualified for the 2018 U.S. History Bee National Championship, was part of the TN Mathematics Teachers’ Associate Math Competition Team, and received the Sewanee Book Award for Excellence in Writing. He was also named AP Scholar with Honor and Head of School Scholar. Nicola was a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Tri-M National Honor Society, DSA Buddy Club, Spanish Club, and Key Service Club. His classmates nominated him as Most Likely to Succeed. With a 4.77 GPA, Nicola will graduate in the top 10% of his class and plans to study history and economics in college.
The Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Athlete Awards honor athletes who have excelled in their athletic endeavors and other extracurricular activities while a Jackson-Madison County student. These athletes are recommended by guidance counselors and coaches. Funding is possible due to a grant provided by Dr. Keith Nord and the staff from the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Clinic.
Lauren Petty of Trinity Christian Academy is a recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Athlete Award. Petty played volleyball and ran track for the Lions. Petty holds the TCA all-time record for most aces in a season and most aces in a career. She was named to the All-West Tennessee Volleyball team (2015-2018), All-District team (2015, 2016), and All-Region team (2017, 2018). She was honored as All-District Co-Player of the Year (2017, 2018), Jackson Sun Super Senior (2018), and Jackson Sun’s 15 Seniors to Watch (2018). With a 4.7 GPA, Petty ranks third in her class and plans to attend Milligan College on a volleyball scholarship.
Aysha Mann of North Side High School is a recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Athlete Award. Mann was a member of the Crusaders softball and cheerleading teams, as well as many academic organizations, including Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Book Club. As an AP and honors student, Mann participated in the prestigious Governor’s School for Sciences and Engineering in 2018. Mann was honored as Outstanding Student for the Sophomore Class, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science, and she was named to the North Side Senior Hall of Fame. Mann placed fifth at the National Beta State Convention for the science division II. In cheerleading, she received awards for Best Academic and Most Valuable Competition Cheerleader. In softball, she received the Lady Indians Softball Scholar Athlete award. With a 4.0 GPA, Mann is graduating a year early and plans to attend Mississippi State to study biomedical engineering to become a dermatopathologist or biomedical engineer.
The Terry Moore Memorial Scholarship aims to continue the legacy of Terry Moore and his desire for young athletes to succeed in sports and life. Many knew him as Umpire-in-Chief of the Jackson Sportsplex, some as a coach, and others as a teammate. Moore’s legacy of dedication, humble service, and mentorship carries through decades of building successful youth and community sports programs in West Tennessee. An avid volleyball player and later official, Terry's passion for sports seemed endless, thriving in his role as Umpire-in-Chief. Terry held this position from opening day in 2006 until his untimely passing in April of 2018.
Jalen Brown of Sacred Heart is the recipient of the inaugural Terry Moore Memorial Scholarship. Brown was a member of Sacred Heart’s 8-Man National Championship football team and basketball team. In football, Brown was honored as All-Star (2018), All-American (2018), and Athlete of the Week twice. In addition to playing for his school team, Brown played for the AAU basketball team, Patriot Elite, his sophomore and junior year. He helped lead his team to two tournament championships in 2018. With a 3.3 GPA, Brown plans to attend Sewanee University of the South in the fall.
The Van and Louise Thompson Scholarship honors the memory of Van and Louise Thompson. Van is a Hall of Fame inductee and a former Jackson High School multi-athlete star. He played tailback on two National Championship teams at the University of Tennessee in the late 30s and early 40s, when the Volunteers went to the Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls. Louise is also a UT graduate and taught school in Jackson for over 25 years.
Ethan Ferguson of North Side High School is the recipient of the Van and Louise Thompson Scholarship. A three-year starter for the football team, Ferguson was named Offensive MVP (2017), Region 6-4A Offensive Lineman of the Year (2018), All-West TN Offense third team, and selected to play in the West TN All-Star game. Off the field, Ferguson was a member of the Youth Advisory Council, Junior Rotary Club, Beta Club, and Leadership University. He served as Student Government Vice President, Beta Club President, a member of the Madison County Teen Court executive board, Tennessee Teen Institute peer leader, and See You at The Pole coordinator. Ferguson received the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholar Award, and he was recognized as Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winner. He was nominated to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame for High School Scholar Athletes. With a 3.5 GPA, Ferguson ranks in the top 10 percent of his class and is recognized on the Honor Roll. Ferguson plans to attend Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Will Pevahouse Scholarship Fund is a non-profit organization established by Will’s family as a way to honor his memory. Will was a devoted family man and an avid golfer, spending many of his leisure hours with his family on the golf course. Will passed away suddenly on July 1, 2017, and his legacy lives on through this scholarship program and its mission to assist young athletes with their college expenses. An annual scholarship will be awarded to a young golfer or athlete who excels in their sport and academically.
Tanner Robinson of Trinity Christian Academy is the recipient of the inaugural Will Pevahouse Memorial Scholarship. Robinson played golf, tennis, and football for the Lions. Robinson qualified for state all five years as a member of the golf team. During his senior year, Robinson was the district runner-up and shot his career-best, lowest round on the final day of the state tournament. He ranked third place in the region his junior year and fourth place in both the district and region his sophomore year. On the tennis court, Robinson helped lead his team to a state championship title and was named to the All-Region team as a sophomore. He was district and region runner-up his junior year. With a 4.0 GPA, Robinson plans to attend Austin Peay State University